Not the real deal? Yankees great pulls auction item

Apr. 21, 2013
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The Yankees' Reggie Jackson connects for three home runs in the World Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 19, 1977. From, left, the homers were: fourth inning off Burt Hooton; fifth inning off Elias Sosa; and eighth inning off Charlie Hough. Jackson planned to auction the jersey he wore in the game, but questions arose about its authenticity. / Ray Stubblebine, AP

by Jon Saraceno, USA TODAY Sports

by Jon Saraceno, USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Jackson and the auction house he commissioned to sell the 1977 World Series game jersey that the former New York Yankee great purportedly wore during his dramatic three-homer World Series game have withdrawn the item because its authenticity cannot be guaranteed.

The white, buttoned-down No. 44 jersey might have fetched anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million. Bidding had started on April 10 and was scheduled to conclude April 27.

But questions about the jersey ended that.

Detailed analysis of video footage of the game revealed "subtle inconsistencies'' between the jersey to be auction and the one Jackson wore during the game, namely the pinstripe alignment relative to the "NY" crest, according to SCP Auctions and the Hall of Fame outfielder, an avid memorabilia collector.

"Since taking this jersey home from Yankee Stadium on the night of October 18, 1977, Reggie has kept this jersey for 35 years believing it to be the one he wore on the field,'' the statement said. "However, SCP Auctions and Reggie Jackson are in agreement that further research is required to positively validate this jersey as his game worn jersey from that night.''

Jackson's memorable performance enabled the Yankees to win Game 6 of the Series and clinch the world championship. Jackson was named World Series MVP.

"SCP Auctions and Reggie Jackson are in agreement that further research is required to positively validate this jersey as his game worn jersey from that night,'' the statement said.